Russell Edward Blair Jr.

Russell Edward Blair Jr., 81, passed peacefully on June 29, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.

He was the firstborn child of Russell and Petronella Blair Sr. on August 25, 1943, in Olympia, Washington and raised in Ashland, Oregon. He fought area wildfires starting at the tender age of 15 (without his mother’s knowledge) and was a camp counselor at Diamond Lake in the summer of 1960, where he met his future wife, Phyllis, at the end of summer boathouse dance. She was 15 and too scared to turn him down when he asked for a dance as “he was so big and had a broken nose all taped up”. As Phyllis lived in California, and Russell didn’t have a driver’s license, their courtship involved years of Russell hitchhiking with long-haul truck drivers to visit her. They married December 20, 1964.

He graduated from what was then Southern Oregon College (SOC) in 1966.

He moved his wife and newborn daughter, Alexandria, to Salem immediately after graduation to attend Willamette University. He worked for US Bank as an auditor and branch manager. Later in his career, he was a district manager for Holiday Retirement.

Russell joined the National Guard while in college and then the Army Reserve. He attended officer candidate school and left the service with the rank of Captain.

He was a devoted family man, stained glass artist and steadfast friend. The most involved Daddy and Papa, he was known for juggling childcare and work at a time when it was uncommon for a father. At the start of his banking career, when he worked as a currier, he received special permission to drive his daughter around with him when she was a toddler. In addition, at the end of his working career, when he was a mortgage broker, his grandchild, Sophie, had a playpen next to his desk. He would, and often did, move mountains for his family.

A voracious reader, football and music lover, he was never without a book or music playing in the background. His daughter's favorite sound is a football game because it always meant Daddy was home. Russell played the drums, upright bass, and trombone, and was a proud member of various bands in his youth, including a jazz and kiltie band.

A man of great morals and strength, his daughter has beloved memories of him standing up for others her entire life.

He was preceded in death by his adored sister, Sharon. He leaves behind and is dearly missed by his wife of 60 years, Phyllis, daughter, Alexandria, son, Tony, beloved grandchild, Sophie Reed, his brother and best friend, Michael, and numerous cherished extended family and friends.

Any donations would be dearly appreciated to two causes close to his heart; Wounded Warrior Project and Southern Poverty Law Center.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.